New PDP National Chairman nullifies suspension of ex-Senate President Anyim, ex-govs. Shema, Fayose, others

Barely 24 hours after assuming office as Acting National Chairman, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday reversed the suspension of former Governor of former Senate President, Pius Anyim, ex-Ekiti governor, Ayodele Fayose and former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema and three others.

Persecondnews recalls that the party had last week suspended Fayose, Anyim and others for alleged anti-party activities under Dr Iyorchia Ayu as national chairman.

Others suspended last week were former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema; Commissioner for Education, Benue State, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar and a chieftain of the party in Zamfara, Dr. Aslam Aliyu over the same offence.

Benue Governor Samuel Ortom was also asked to face a disciplinary committee for anti-party activities.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba, said in a statement in Abuja on Thursday that the suspension had been voided.

Ayu has since stepped down as chairman following an ex-parte order by a Makurdi High Court in Benue to stop parading himself as PDP’s chairman until the determination of the suit.

“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its meeting today, Thursday, March 30, 2023 extensively discussed recent developments in the Party.

“The NWC recognized the imperativeness of a total reconciliation among party leaders and critical stakeholders for a more cohesive party in the overall interest of our teeming members and Nigerians in general.

“Consequent upon the above, the NWC reverses the referral of the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee.

“The NWC in the same vein reverses the suspension of the following under-listed members of our great Party:
1. H.E Ibrahim Shema (Katsina State)
2. Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State)
3. Sen. Pius Anyim (Ebonyi State)
4. Prof. Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State)
5. Dr. Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State)

“This decision is without prejudice to the powers of the NWC to take necessary disciplinary action against any member of the Party at any time pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017),” Ologunagba said.

The statement said the NWC urged all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our party across the country to be guided by the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) as well as the new spirit and necessity of reconciliation, unity and harmony in the Party at this critical time.

“The PDP must remain focused as we continue to take every necessary action to recover the stolen mandate freely given by Nigerians to our party and Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday February 25, 2023, at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.”